Process Analysis with the Turtle Method

Models with strong image associations can help to illustrate and systematise complex processes. This is also the case with the Turtle method, a classic tool for visualising, analysing and improving processes.

A bird's eye view of the turtle reveals seven body parts that are filled with the important elements of a process description. The filling is done according to a fixed scheme and is particularly suitable for the documentation of processes, for risk assessment or as a basis for process optimisation. The "filling" of the turtle body parts ideally takes place as teamwork of all those involved in the process and is understood as a dynamic process.

The elements at a glance:

The Project Core (Turtle Body)

In the central element of the diagram, the process is outlined and the process owner is defined.

Example: The manufacturing department of a household appliance manufacturer is tasked with producing a certain number of barbecues per month. To achieve the target, the opportunities and risks must be defined, such as a price ceiling for good sales results as opportunities or minimum safety requirements to exclude accidents with the grill.

The Task (Turtle Head)

Here the task is defined (the input), for example a production process that should result in high-quality products. So the assumption could be: We want to produce a barbecue that is reliable, weatherproof, long-lasting and easy to use.

The Working Basics (Right Fore Leg)

The means of production are documented here: What equipment is available, in which environment and with which machines is production taking place? How does the production workflow work?

Measuring Instruments (Left Fore Leg)

Indicators, which are listed here, are decisive for the assessment of quality and efficiency. Which requirements have to be fulfilled (e.g. prescribed by law or by testing institutes such as TÜV)? What measurement instruments are available? How are the results documented?

The Team (Right Hind Leg)

This sector is about those involved in the production team: what knowledge do the employees have, what expertise needs to be permanently improved? Are there special skills that facilitate production (e.g. language skills, IT skills, knowledge of the thermal processes involved in grilling)?

Action Basics (Left Hind Leg)

Control tools for the process are documented at this point: Are there individual work instructions, circuit diagrams, best practices or safety regulations that must be followed during production? How are the processes controlled, documented and monitored?

Target Control (Turtle Tail)

The end product (output) comes into focus here: Is the process suitable for producing a product that meets the customer's requirements? This segment is about a self-critical examination of the product, ideally supported by reports from the complaints department and customer evaluations.

After filling, the Turtle model contains all the essential elements that have an influence on the production of the desired product. In teamwork, it is now checked whether the totality of the elements is balanced in such a way that the defined requirements are fulfilled in the defined schedule and with the calculated resources. The Turtle method enables those involved in the process to make adjustments in individual areas and to carry out a direct comparison of results. The documentation of process changes allows immediate conclusions to be drawn so that the process can be influenced in a controlled way.

Conclusion

With the Turtle Method, processes can be mapped transparently and comprehensibly. If all elements of a process are visible and documented, causal relationships can be identified with partial changes that lead to permanent process improvement.